Frank William Clarke

This story was submitted to the People’s War site by Maggie O'Neill of the ‘Action Desk — Sheffield’ Team on behalf of Kathleen Clarke, and has been added to the site with her permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

Frank William Clarke born 10th November 1916 died 20th June 2005

Frank was born in Islington, North London. He was the eldest of three children and his sisters, Ivy and Vera are still alive. On leaving school he joined the Post Office as a messenger boy, walking many miles around the city of London delivering telegrams. He graduated to the Sorting Office in Mount Pleasant London, not Batley!

His career was put on hold soon after the start of the Second World War, when he received his call-up papers and joined the Royal Signals, where he became expert in using Morse code. Frank couldn’t wait to join the army to escape the dreadful bombing in London, but believe it or not, soon after his initial training, he was actually posted to the Tower of London.

Later he was transferred to Langton, near York, and was there for quite some time. During this period he had a chance meeting with Kathleen on Leeds City railway station on Sunday 2nd January 1944. No addresses were exchanged, but a letter from Frank addressed to “Kathleen, West Ardsley Post Office” eventually did reach her. (Kathleen still has that first letter — no email in those days of course.) However, Kathleen’s reply to Frank took three months to find him, because Kathleen omitted to include his army number in the address. Once contact has been established, regular correspondence flowed and love blossomed. But it was in fact 13 months before they met again. In the meantime, Frank was on duty with the Guards Armoured Division in Belgium, France and Germany.

In February 1945, Frank went to Batley in Yorkshire to meet Kathleen’s parents, and permission was given for Kathleen to return with Frank to London to meet Frank’s mother and father. In spite of all the bombing, they had a wonderful time together and at the end of a blissful seven days, Frank proposed to Kathleen. However Frank’s leave was now over and it was left to Frank’s father to place the ring on Kathleen’s finger!

On the 22nd September 1945, Kathleen and Frank were married, just before Frank’s planned posting to the Far East. The dropping of the atom bomb on Japan meant that instead, Frank returned to Germany to await demobilisation. On return to civilian life, he returned to the Sorting Office, but soon passed the entrance exam to join the Civil Service with flying colours. He was based at Whitehall.

On 21 February 1948, Frank and Kathleen became the proud parents of Robert. Family life in one room soon became difficult and this, plus the shortage of accommodation in London and a desire to live in Yorkshire, led to Frank requesting a transfer to the Ministry of Health in Leeds. Within two weeks of arriving in Yorkshire, they were successful in buying a brand new house and have lived in the Hanging Heaton area ever since.

Kathleen’s interest in amateur operatics with Batley Amateurs led to Frank becoming Secretary, a role which he carried out with dedication for 33 years. Frank was given the honour of the presidency of the Society in 1981 and made many friends during this time.

In 1977 Frank was awarded the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal for his work with the Civil Service. He retired after over 40 years service at the age of 62.

In retirement, he was introduced to Probus by Dr Eric Sarraff, a long-standing friend. Regretfully, due to his immobility Frank was less and less able to attend the meetings he had so thoroughly enjoyed and looked forward to. As Frank’s mobility worsened and the permanent discomfort increased, day-to-day activity became more difficult. However, his natural good nature and sense of humour never left him, especially when his two beautiful granddaughters, Helen and Jill were around him.

Frank was a gentleman; he was kind, thoughtful and never did anything in anger. He was respected by all. Frank and Kathleen would have been married 60 years this September but unfortunately he died on 20th June 2005.

Pr-BR

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